Brewed to Perfection: Quiet Tea | LeviHan | Levi Ackerman x Hange Zoe | FalBi

Chapter 17: Lingering Thoughts

The tea shop carried on, its usual hum of activity filling the air. Customers came and went, the gentle clink of teacups and the soft murmur of conversations blending seamlessly into the shop's rhythm. Levi moved behind the counter, his motions precise and mechanical, as Gabi and Falco buzzed about, serving tables and managing supplies. Onyankopon was in his usual corner, quietly taking stock of inventory.

From an outsider's perspective, everything appeared normal. The shop was busy, efficient, and full of life. But for Levi, there was an emptiness he couldn't shake.

A week had passed since Hange left, and the absence of her presence was as loud as her laughter had been. The stool she had occupied during her short stay sat unclaimed by the corner table, a small yet glaring reminder of her absence. Levi's gaze lingered on it more than he cared to admit, though he quickly forced himself to look away each time.

Life went on, as it always did. Yet there was something different about the weight Levi carried this time-a nagging thought that refused to settle.

"Captain?" Falco's voice interrupted his thoughts, bringing him back to the present. The boy stood nearby, holding an empty tray and looking at Levi with concern. "Are you alright?"

Levi blinked, his expression unreadable as always. "I'm fine," he replied curtly. "Get back to work."

Falco nodded, retreating to his tasks, but Levi's mind was already elsewhere. The shop's noise faded into the background as his thoughts drifted back to Hange. Her presence had always been a paradox to him-a chaotic force that somehow made his life more stable. She was maddening and loud, yet she filled the quiet corners of his world with a warmth he could no longer imagine living without.

And yet, she always left.

Levi leaned on his crutch, staring at the counter. It wasn't the first time she'd gone, and he knew it wouldn't be the last. He hated how it hurt every time. But he also knew she had made a choice-to dedicate herself to the work she believed in. And if he were being honest with himself, he respected her for it. He supported her. He always would.

Still, the thought of always watching her leave was unbearable. It wasn't something he could voice, not even to her. But the ache in his chest told him enough.

He didn't need much in his life. Peace, tea, and the quiet satisfaction of tending to the shop were enough to get him through most days. But the days Hange was there, everything felt different-brighter, fuller, almost noisy in the best way. And now that she was gone, the absence seemed sharper, more noticeable.

The doorbell jingled, and Levi looked up sharply. It was just a customer-a familiar face who nodded politely before taking a seat. Levi served them with his usual efficiency, but his thoughts continued to churn. His movements were deliberate, masking the restlessness he felt inside.

Later that evening, after the last customer left, Levi locked the door and leaned on his crutch, surveying the empty shop. The polished tables, the rows of neatly stacked teacups-everything was in its place, but it felt off. Gabi and Falco had finished cleaning, their laughter fading as they headed upstairs to rest. Onyankopon gave Levi a knowing look before heading out the door, leaving him alone.

Levi lingered by the counter, his fingers brushing against the edge of the tin Hange had brought during her stay. He could still hear her voice as she explained its origin, her hands gesturing wildly as she tried to describe the peculiar market she'd found it in.

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips before fading into something quieter, something heavier. The shop was hers as much as it was his; she had a way of leaving her mark even when she was miles away. And yet, the weight of her absence never got easier.

Levi exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting to the window where the last light of the day cast long shadows on the floor. A small, quiet thought had been taking root for some time now, one he couldn't ignore anymore. He didn't act on whims. He didn't believe in sentimentality. But this... this was different.

His eyes flicked toward the coat hanging by the door-the one Hange had given him. Sturdy, practical, warm. She had insisted he needed it, and as much as he hated to admit it, she'd been right. He grabbed the coat, slipping it on with careful movements. The fabric felt heavy on his shoulders but comforting, like an unspoken reminder of her presence.

Levi reached for his crutch, heading for the door. He didn't know exactly where he was going, but the thought had been gnawing at him long enough. It was time to act, even if it wasn't in his nature.

The streets were quiet, the faint hum of the town settling into its evening calm. He walked slowly, his crutch tapping against the cobblestones, his mind fixed on a single purpose. Whatever decision he was coming to, it wasn't for anyone else to know-not yet. For now, he would prepare. And when Hange returned, whenever that was, he'd find the right moment. Until then, life went on. He could wait.